HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-05-20-STB- fire-ems-minutesSPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING
Fire/EMS Budget
Town of Ulysses
May 20, 2021
Audio of the minutes are available on the website at ulysses.ny.us.
The meeting was held via videoconference on the Zoom platform.
Notice of Town Board meetings are posted on the Town’s website and Clerk’s board.
CALL TO ORDER:
Ms. Zahler called the meeting to order at 4:05pm.
ATTENDANCE:
The Town Clerk called the roll:
TOWN OFFICIALS PRESENT:
Supervisor- Nancy Zahler
Board members- Michael Boggs, Katelin Olson, Mary Bouchard, Rich Goldman
Town Clerk- Carissa Parlato
OTHERS PRESENT:
• Town of Covert- Deb Nottke, Mike Reynolds
• Village of Trumansburg- Rordan Hart, Jessica Giles, Ben Carver
• Chris Fox (EMS Coordinator), Matt Taylor (Fire Chief)
• Town of Hector- Alvin White
DISCUSSION:
Mr. Reynolds noted that he & Mr. Hart will have a meeting with Senator Pam Helming &
Assemblywoman Anna Kelles on 6/16 regarding Fire/EMS. They w ill discuss the future and rising costs
as well as a funding model similar to the CHPs.
Mr. Fox shared that the EMS department is having staffing issues due to several members out for
long-term disability and it has been difficult to find replacements.
Mr. Hart said they are making progress on their lease-to-own equipment and that call volumes have
been steady.
Ms. Nottke offered some suggestions for recruiting.
Mr. Hart said that they have started to consider whether a second village-only ambulance would be
feasible. Ms. Zahler expressed concerns regarding costs to the joint district. Mr. Hart and Carver
reassured that this would be considered if the conversation progresses.
The group discussed the frequency of Bang’s Ambulance responses when the Trumansburg
ambulance is too far away. Mr. Hart and Fox noted that it has been very infrequent.
Mr. Hart expressed concern about police reform and the potential for call increases for Trumansburg
for mental health assistance. Several people expressed concern that Tompkins County has not
considered this aspect of their adopted police reform policies.
Mr. White inquired whether it would be possible to improve billing data as calls from his two districts
are often mislabeled and this creates accounting issues on his end. Ms. Zahler expressed support for
the new data reports from EMS but requested that they be sent as pdfs to be easier to open and
save.
Mr. Hart and Taylor noted that there are no changes to the equipment replacement cycle nor plans to
add to/reduce the fleet. An updated equipment plan will be provided at the annual meeting.
Mr. Hart said that there is demand for a boat rescue but is not sure how to fund it. Ms. Zahler
expressed concerns about locally funding an expense that would be used by others around the lake.
He also added that he is still seeking funding for a new Fire/EMS facility and that there has been no
progress on a new cost-sharing plan for the districts.
Mr. Goldman and Carver were excused at this time (5pm).
Mr. Taylor shared that he just completed first year as fire chief and volunteer membership is strong
with 50-60 members. Their equipment is in good condition and they respond daily to events. He
added that it is expected to be a busy year for the state park.
Ms. Zahler asked the Village whether the new cost sharing formula would be implemented in 2022.
Mayor Hart said that may need to be delayed.
Ms. Zahler noted that the new Cayuga Addiction & Recovery Services (CARS) womens’ facility will
open mid-2022 and that may increase fire/EMS calls.
ADJOURN:
Mr. Boggs moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:09pm. This was seconded by Ms. Bouchard and passed
unanimously.
Respectfully submitted by Carissa Parlato, Town Clerk
5/25/2021